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Russell Brand, born again May 12, 2026

Show notes

The British comedian Russell Brand is due to stand trial in the UK this year on charges of rape and sexual assault, to which he pleads not guilty.

Over the course of his decades-long career, he has had many guises; Hollywood actor, MTV presenter, radio host, author, religious sceptic, and political agitator among them, moving between mainstream and ‘alternative’ media platforms.

His latest appearances, on podcasts hosted by Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Piers Morgan, have gone viral for his admissions about his past behaviour, and his conversion to Christianity.

With BBC media editor Katie Razzall.

Producer: Hannah Moore

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: British actor and comedian Russell Brand arrives at Southwark Crown Court, February 24, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Toby Melville.

Operation Ajax: The CIA’s Iran coup May 11, 2026

Show notes

At the outset of the war in Iran, US President Donald Trump suggested that regime change was one of its goals. He later said it had been had achieved, a claim that is disputed by critics who point out that the same repressive forces in Iran still hold power.

American attempts at regime change in Iran have a long history. In 1953 the CIA, assisted by British intelligence, led a deadly coup that toppled Iran’s last democratically elected leader. It’s a moment in history that poisoned US-Iranian relations, and helped launch the theocratic revolution to come. But the immediate success of ‘Operation Ajax’ would convince the CIA to carry out a wave of similar plots around the world.

We get the full story from Scott Anderson, author of King of Kings: The Fall of the Shah and the Revolution That Forged Modern Iran.

Producers: Viv Jones and Valerio Esposito Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Supporters of the Shah of Iran in Tehran, 1953. Credit (Getty/Bettmann)

The AI chatbot users falling into delusional spirals May 08, 2026

Show notes

**Warning: this episode includes discussions of sexual abuse, suicide and upsetting scenes**

In just the last few years, AI chatbots have become routine aspects of many people’s everyday lives. They are being used as search engines, agony aunts, and sources of companionship.

In rare cases though, AI chatbots have sent users down a dark path. In a new BBC investigation, population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty speaks to people who have experienced delusions after talking to chatbots – including one man who grabbed a hammer and prepared for war after his chatbot told him it was sentient.

Producers: Valerio Esposito, Viv Jones and Xandra Ellin

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Studio manager: Jonathan Greer

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Adam Hourican. Credit: BBC.

What Elon Musk did next May 07, 2026

Show notes

It’s been a year since billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk left his informal position in President Trump’s White House in May 2025. But behind the scenes, Musk has been busy.

Musk has spent the last few weeks in a California courtroom, where he is suing his former business partner, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In January, Musk applied for permission with the US government to launch a million satellites into orbit, some of which he says will serve as solar AI data centres. And he is preparing to take his company SpaceX public, with an estimated valuation of over $1 trillion.

Though his political presence has waned, is it possible that Elon Musk is more powerful than ever? We speak to the BBC’s North America technology correspondent Lily Jamali about what the world’s richest man has been up to since leaving the White House.

Producers: Xandra Ellin and Valerio Esposito Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Elon Musk appears in the courthouse during the OpenAI trial. Credit: Reuters/Manuel Orbegozo

What do Iranians think of the war? May 06, 2026

Show notes

Iranians living in Tehran tell us what they think of the war and reveal how the conflict has affected their day to day lives. In recent days, attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz has raised fears that an already fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran could collapse. Donald Trump's "Project Freedom", which began on Monday, aims to use the US military to escort cargo ships out of Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, insists that it controls the key waterway and has warned that it is “just getting started” in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation of hostilities risks tipping the region back into full-scale war. As the conflict enters its third month with no clear end in sight, there has been mounting anxiety about what comes next. But what is the view inside Iran? In today’s episode we speak to the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet who recently returned from a ten day trip to Tehran where she spoke to government officials and ordinary Iranians about their fears and expectations as this war continues. Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Aron Keller Executive Producer: Richard Fenton Smith Mix: Travis Evans Senior News Editor: China Collins Photo: Daily life in Tehran amid continued tensions over Strait of Hormuz. Credit: Abedin Taherkenareh/ EPA/Shutterstock.

European leaders are defying Trump. At what cost? May 05, 2026

Show notes

When Donald Trump began his second term in the White House, many European leaders chose to pursue flattery instead of a fight. Most sought to avoid public confrontation even as Trump instituted tariffs, spoke of annexing Greenland, and went to war with Iran.

But lately more European leaders across the political spectrum - from longtime allies to ideological opponents - are willing to openly contradict and criticise the American president. The White House appears to be retaliating, especially against Germany, from which the Pentagon has announced it will withdraw 5,000 troops.

Has Europe suddenly become more defiant? And what happens next? Asma speaks to the BBC’s Europe editor, Katya Adler.

Producers: Valerio Esposito, Chris Benderev and Hannah Moore Executive Producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior News Editor: China Collins

Photo: US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a bilateral meeting at the White House, 03 March 2026. Credit: Samuel Corum/Pool/EPA/Shutterstock

Why is Russia shutting off the internet? May 04, 2026

Show notes

In recent months, the Russian government has been restricting access to messaging apps such as Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, and at points, even shutting down internet access completely.

Russian officials insist that curbs on communication are in the interests of public safety. They claim that mobile internet blackouts disorient Ukrainian attack drones, although such attacks have continued even in areas where the internet has been switched off.

How have these blackouts been affecting peoples’ ability to access news, communicate, even find their way around? And how are people reacting to the restrictions on their freedoms?

BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg joins Asma to discuss.

Producers: Chris Benderev and Hannah Moore

Executive producer: Bridget Harney

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Passengers use mobile phones aboard a themed metro train honouring the Russian National Guard in Moscow, Russia, March 31, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Ramil Sitdikov

The US and Israel entered the Iran war together. Is Israel now being sidelined? May 01, 2026

Show notes

Since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, there has been an ongoing debate over the role played by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in convincing Donald Trump to go to war.

But when it comes to ceasefire announcements, it has been the US President taking the lead - if the Israelis are present at all. So when it comes to ending the wars in Iran and Lebanon, are the Americans leaving Netanyahu out in the cold?

We speak to Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent at The Economist, and author of Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak and Xandra Ellin

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering an address from the roof of the Kirya in Tel Aviv, Israel, 1 March 2026. Credit: Avi Ohayon/EPA-EFE)

How Ukraine won a battle with robots alone Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

For the first time in history a country has apparently won a battle using only robots, without a soldier on the ground put at risk. Ukraine claims to have recently taken over a Russian position – forcing Russian soldiers to surrender – using robotic systems alone.

President Zelensky has been asking the world for help to fight Russia since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. But in the years since, Ukraine has revolutionised the technology of warfare with battlefield robots and drones, and now other countries are turning to it for its technology and expertise.

We speak to the journalist and defence expert Mark Urban about how Ukraine went from needy to needed.

Producers: Lucy Pawle and Viv Jones Executive producer: Richard Fenton-Smith Mixed by: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: The "ASLAN" unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is tested during a NATO exercise in Germany, February 20, 2026. Photo by: Liesa Johannssen/Reuters

What was the Iran deal that Trump ripped up? Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

When President Trump talks about his attempts to reach an agreement with Iran, he often mentions a previous deal: the 2015 JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), or Iran nuclear deal.

Trump pulled America out of the Obama-era accord during his first term and has called it, "the worst deal in history". His own deal, he says, "will be FAR BETTER".

Asma speaks to Ambassador Wendy Sherman, the lead US negotiator on the JCPOA, to get the inside story on how the deal was done, and ask what it might take for Trump to get a deal now.

Producers: Viv Jones and Xandra Ellin

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Wendy Sherman. Credit: Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

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